During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemics in 2020, lockdown policies reduced human mobility in many countries globally. This significantly reduces car traffic-related emissions. In this paper, we consider the impact of the Italian restrictions (lockdown) on the air quality in the Lombardy Region. In particular, we consider public data on concentrations of particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide, pre/during/after lockdown. To reduce the effect of confounders, we use detailed regression function based on meteorological, land and calendar information. Spatial and temporal correlations are handled using a multivariate spatiotemporal model in the class of hidden dynamic geostatistical models (HDGM). Due to the large size of the design matrix, variable selection is made using a hybrid approach coupling the well known LASSO algorithm with the cross-validation performance of HDGM. The impact of COVID-19 lockdown is heterogeneous in the region. Indeed, there is high statistical evidence of nitrogen dioxide concentration reductions in metropolitan areas and near trafficked roads where also PM10 concentration is reduced. However, rural, industrial, and mountain areas do not show significant reductions. Also, PM2.5 concentrations lack significant reductions irrespective of zone. The post-lockdown restart shows unclear results.

Fasso, A., Maranzano, P., Otto, P. (2022). Spatiotemporal variable selection and air quality impact assessment of COVID-19 lockdown. SPATIAL STATISTICS, 49(June 2022) [10.1016/j.spasta.2021.100549].

Spatiotemporal variable selection and air quality impact assessment of COVID-19 lockdown

Maranzano P.;
2022

Abstract

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemics in 2020, lockdown policies reduced human mobility in many countries globally. This significantly reduces car traffic-related emissions. In this paper, we consider the impact of the Italian restrictions (lockdown) on the air quality in the Lombardy Region. In particular, we consider public data on concentrations of particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide, pre/during/after lockdown. To reduce the effect of confounders, we use detailed regression function based on meteorological, land and calendar information. Spatial and temporal correlations are handled using a multivariate spatiotemporal model in the class of hidden dynamic geostatistical models (HDGM). Due to the large size of the design matrix, variable selection is made using a hybrid approach coupling the well known LASSO algorithm with the cross-validation performance of HDGM. The impact of COVID-19 lockdown is heterogeneous in the region. Indeed, there is high statistical evidence of nitrogen dioxide concentration reductions in metropolitan areas and near trafficked roads where also PM10 concentration is reduced. However, rural, industrial, and mountain areas do not show significant reductions. Also, PM2.5 concentrations lack significant reductions irrespective of zone. The post-lockdown restart shows unclear results.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
COVID-19; Model selection; Multivariate spatiotemporal models; Nitrogen dioxide; Particulate matters;
English
29-ott-2021
2022
49
June 2022
100549
reserved
Fasso, A., Maranzano, P., Otto, P. (2022). Spatiotemporal variable selection and air quality impact assessment of COVID-19 lockdown. SPATIAL STATISTICS, 49(June 2022) [10.1016/j.spasta.2021.100549].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/382220
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